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S*n$h& News Journal of the Buddhist Meditation Society of Northern British Columbia FALL 1998 Volume II Number 3 Sangha Update With t h e w a r m w e a t h e r o f s u m m e r w e f o u n d o u r lovely new Dharma Centre stifling in i t s s i t u a t i o n on t h e u n s h a d e d south- w e s t c o r n e r o f t h e B o o k s & C o . b u i l d i n g . T h e w i n d o w s d o n ' t o p e n , and there was some discussion on having openable units installed, but in the end, we just sweated i t o u t . A t t e n d a n c e d r o p p e d off, perhaps because o f the heat, but more likely due to the fine weather. I think this year we all suffered the e u p h o r i a o f s u m m e r m o r e t h a n u s u a l . Now that we can return to scheduling our spiritual practices as a g r o u p , w e ' v e e s t a b l i s h e d s o m e n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s . T h e r e i s n o w a w e e k l y Z e n s i t , a n d b i - w e e k l y ( o n t h e q u a r t e r - m o o n ) V a j r a y a n a practices. See the calendar on the back page for specifics. The dharma centre now has a cupboard for tea and stuff and a shelf f o r c u s h i o n s . Y o u ' r e w e l c o m e to k e e p y o u r s i t t i n g c u s h i o n there rather than packing it in and out each time. We keep a few spares there as well f o r a n y o n e w h o ' s f o r g o t t e n to b r i n g o n e . After a s u m m e r o f informal Monday nights, we've got to get organized! Please remember there is a signup sheet f o r v o l u n t e e r s to lead the group, keep time, offer readings, and wash up. Please h e l p t h e g r o u p a n d y o u r s e l f b y p l a n n i n g ahead t o v o l u n t e e r . Our new neighbour above t h e b o o k s t o r e is l o c a l a r t i s t June P a r k e r . J u n e h a s t u r n e d o u r w a l k i n g m e d i t a t i o n space into a lovely gallery. H e r o p e n house h o u r s a r e o n F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n s and she seems to be in her studio space there during the days so we sel- dom s e e h e r . I f y o u ' r e i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o n F r i d a y s , d o drop in t o m e e t June! There a r e a f e w p e o p l e w h o ' v e e x p r e s s e d interest in getting together for informal discussions on Buddhist philosophy. If you're interested in being contacted once a meeting date has been set, phone o u r g e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n n u m b e r , 964-3066. Alternate meditation night Zen members of the society have organized an alternate medi- tation n i g h t f o r t h o s e w h o c a n ' t m a k e t h e M o n d a y n i g h t m e e t i n g s or w h o p r e f e r a Zen flavor to their sitting practice. The alternate meetings take place on Tuesdays a t 7 p.m. "Tuesdays are more convenient for most people who are inter- ested i n a n alternative to the Monday n i g h t s i t s , " s a i d Tony M a c G r e g o r ( 9 6 4 - 2 4 9 2 ) w h o , with D o n H a g r e e n ( 5 6 3 - 0 7 6 1 ) , h a s helped organize the alternate night. "We held an alternate night at S t a n S h a f f e r ' s h o m e l a s t y e a r so w e ' r e r e v i v i n g a f o r m e r p r a c t i c e , " he said. Tony added that this will take the pressure o f f t h e sometimes limited space at t h e M o n d a y n i g h t meetings. Rollin' with the Soup Bus Actually, i n A u g u s t w e d i d not roll with the soup bus; it was out of commission. Soup was served from the back of a s t a t i o n w a g o n instead. In A u g u s t a n d September the sangha brewed u p a potpourri with s e v e r a l m e m b e r s donating an i c e c r e a m bucket's worth of soup to fill the big pots. The idea came from the people at St. Mike's, who said the mix turns out surprisingly good. The p r e p a r a t i o n c r e w i n s t i t u t e d a tasting session on Wednes- day afternoons on the premise "if I won't eat it why would I serve it to someone else?" We have been given t h e u s e o f the fine new kitchen at St. Michael's for our preparation and cleanup. Thanks, Peter, for ar- r a n g i n g t h i s facility f o r u s ! Besides the "surprisingly good" soup, we have been preparing egg salad and bologna & cheese sandwiches. With t h e d o n a t i o n of t w o h u g e bags o f b a g e l s , w e m a d e m i n i - p i z z a s with pizza sauce and grated cheese. T h e y w e r e b r o w n e d i n t h e o v e n s a t S t . M i k e ' s t h e n i g h t b e f o r e , c o o l e d a n d i n d i v i d u a l l y w r a p p e d . Very success- ful! W e a l s o purchase a q u a n t i t y o f fruit each time as well as the bread for the sandwiches. O c c a s i o n a l l y s o m e o n e from t h e c o m m u n i t y will s h o w u p w h e n we begin serving the soup to add their own donations of muffins, doughnuts, etc. So far, nobody has ever gone away hungry. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING? We need a continuous inflow of volunteers for this project to work, so nobody suffers burnout. Here are your options: 1. Make soup ahead of time. Anytime. Find vegetables, chicken, soup bones (no pasta - it burns on the bottom) on special, make the soup, and freeze it. Drop it off on Soup Bus Day, the second Wednesday o f e v e r y m o n t h , at S t . M i c h a e l ' s . I f y o u c a n ' t d e l i v e r it, phone to m a k e o t h e r arrangements. 2. Join the sandwich crew. At St. Mike's from 2-4pm, 2nd Wednesday o f e v e r y m o n t h . N o s p e c i a l skills required! 3. Serve the people. From 7:30 to 8:00 pm, same d a y , o n George S t r e e t b e t w e e n 1st and 2nd. Go home feeling good. 4. Help the Co-ordinator. Don has been co-ordinating this project, phoning people, picking up the pots, preparing food, driv- ing the bus, washing the pots after, returning the bus and pots (to 2 different places). He could really use some help doing some or all o f t h i s . To help, sign up o n t h e v o l u n t e e r sheet in the sangha room or p h o n e D o n at 563-0761 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n . pjote: Our sangha joined this project in May of this year. It is loosely administered by the Prince George Soup Bus Society and has many volunteer organizations, mostly local churches, par- ticipating in the same way we do.

S*n$h& News News/Vol.2... · 2014. 6. 16. · Sangha News is the newsletter of the Buddhist Meditation Society of Northern British Columbia and the Open Door Sangha. It is published

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Page 1: S*n$h& News News/Vol.2... · 2014. 6. 16. · Sangha News is the newsletter of the Buddhist Meditation Society of Northern British Columbia and the Open Door Sangha. It is published

S*n$h& News J o u r n a l of the Buddhist M e d i t a t i o n Society

of N o r t h e r n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a

F A L L 1 9 9 8 V o l u m e I I • N u m b e r 3

Sangha Update W i t h t h e w a r m w e a t h e r o f s u m m e r w e f o u n d o u r l o v e l y n e w

D h a r m a C e n t r e s t i f l i n g i n i t s s i t u a t i o n o n t h e u n s h a d e d s o u t h ­w e s t c o r n e r o f t h e B o o k s & C o . b u i l d i n g . T h e w i n d o w s d o n ' t o p e n , a n d t h e r e w a s s o m e d i s c u s s i o n o n h a v i n g o p e n a b l e u n i t s i n s t a l l e d , b u t i n t h e e n d , w e j u s t s w e a t e d i t o u t .

A t t e n d a n c e d r o p p e d o f f , p e r h a p s b e c a u s e o f t h e h e a t , b u t m o r e l i k e l y d u e t o t h e f i n e w e a t h e r . I t h i n k t h i s y e a r w e a l l s u f f e r e d t h e e u p h o r i a o f s u m m e r m o r e t h a n u s u a l .

N o w t h a t w e c a n r e t u r n t o s c h e d u l i n g o u r s p i r i t u a l p r a c t i c e s as a g r o u p , w e ' v e e s t a b l i s h e d s o m e n e w o p p o r t u n i t i e s . T h e r e i s n o w a w e e k l y Z e n s i t , a n d b i - w e e k l y ( o n t h e q u a r t e r - m o o n ) V a j r a y a n a p r a c t i c e s . S e e t h e c a l e n d a r o n t h e b a c k p a g e f o r s p e c i f i c s .

T h e d h a r m a c e n t r e n o w h a s a c u p b o a r d f o r t e a a n d s t u f f a n d a s h e l f f o r c u s h i o n s . Y o u ' r e w e l c o m e t o k e e p y o u r s i t t i n g c u s h i o n t h e r e r a t h e r t h a n p a c k i n g i t i n a n d o u t e a c h t i m e . W e k e e p a f e w s p a r e s t h e r e as w e l l f o r a n y o n e w h o ' s f o r g o t t e n t o b r i n g o n e .

A f t e r a s u m m e r o f i n f o r m a l M o n d a y n i g h t s , w e ' v e g o t t o g e t o r g a n i z e d ! P l e a s e r e m e m b e r t h e r e i s a s i g n u p s h e e t f o r v o l u n t e e r s t o l e a d t h e g r o u p , k e e p t i m e , o f f e r r e a d i n g s , a n d w a s h u p . P l e a s e h e l p t h e g r o u p a n d y o u r s e l f b y p l a n n i n g a h e a d t o v o l u n t e e r .

O u r n e w n e i g h b o u r a b o v e t h e b o o k s t o r e i s l o c a l a r t i s t J u n e P a r k e r . J u n e h a s t u r n e d o u r w a l k i n g m e d i t a t i o n s p a c e i n t o a l o v e l y g a l l e r y . H e r o p e n h o u s e h o u r s a r e o n F r i d a y a f t e r n o o n s a n d s h e s e e m s t o be i n h e r s t u d i o s p a c e t h e r e d u r i n g t h e d a y s s o w e s e l ­d o m see h e r . I f y o u ' r e i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o n F r i d a y s , d o d r o p i n t o m e e t J u n e !

T h e r e a r e a f e w p e o p l e w h o ' v e e x p r e s s e d i n t e r e s t i n g e t t i n g t o g e t h e r f o r i n f o r m a l d i s c u s s i o n s o n B u d d h i s t p h i l o s o p h y . I f y o u ' r e i n t e r e s t e d i n b e i n g c o n t a c t e d o n c e a m e e t i n g d a t e h a s b e e n se t , p h o n e o u r g e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n n u m b e r , 9 6 4 - 3 0 6 6 .

Alternate meditation night Z e n m e m b e r s o f t h e s o c i e t y h a v e o r g a n i z e d a n a l t e r n a t e m e d i ­

t a t i o n n i g h t f o r t h o s e w h o c a n ' t m a k e t h e M o n d a y n i g h t m e e t i n g s o r w h o p r e f e r a Z e n f l a v o r t o t h e i r s i t t i n g p r a c t i c e . T h e a l t e r n a t e m e e t i n g s t a k e p l a c e o n T u e s d a y s a t 7 p . m .

" T u e s d a y s a r e m o r e c o n v e n i e n t f o r m o s t p e o p l e w h o a r e i n t e r ­e s t e d i n a n a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e M o n d a y n i g h t s i t s , " s a i d T o n y M a c G r e g o r ( 9 6 4 - 2 4 9 2 ) w h o , w i t h D o n H a g r e e n ( 5 6 3 - 0 7 6 1 ) , h a s h e l p e d o r g a n i z e t h e a l t e r n a t e n i g h t .

" W e h e l d a n a l t e r n a t e n i g h t a t S t a n S h a f f e r ' s h o m e l a s t y e a r s o w e ' r e r e v i v i n g a f o r m e r p r a c t i c e , " h e s a i d .

T o n y a d d e d t h a t t h i s w i l l t a k e t h e p r e s s u r e o f f t h e s o m e t i m e s l i m i t e d s p a c e a t t h e M o n d a y n i g h t m e e t i n g s .

Rollin' with the Soup Bus A c t u a l l y , i n A u g u s t w e d i d not r o l l w i t h t h e s o u p b u s ; i t w a s o u t

o f c o m m i s s i o n . S o u p w a s s e r v e d f r o m t h e b a c k o f a s t a t i o n w a g o n i n s t e a d .

I n A u g u s t a n d S e p t e m b e r t h e s a n g h a b r e w e d u p a p o t p o u r r i w i t h s e v e r a l m e m b e r s d o n a t i n g a n i c e c r e a m b u c k e t ' s w o r t h o f s o u p t o f i l l t h e b i g p o t s . T h e i d e a c a m e f r o m t h e p e o p l e a t S t . M i k e ' s , w h o s a i d t h e m i x t u r n s o u t s u r p r i s i n g l y good.

T h e p r e p a r a t i o n c r e w i n s t i t u t e d a t a s t i n g s e s s i o n o n W e d n e s ­d a y a f t e r n o o n s o n t h e p r e m i s e "if I won't eat it why would I serve it to someone else?"

W e h a v e b e e n g i v e n t h e u s e o f t h e f i n e n e w k i t c h e n a t S t . M i c h a e l ' s f o r o u r p r e p a r a t i o n a n d c l e a n u p . T h a n k s , P e t e r , f o r a r ­r a n g i n g t h i s f a c i l i t y f o r u s !

B e s i d e s t h e " s u r p r i s i n g l y g o o d " s o u p , w e h a v e b e e n p r e p a r i n g e g g s a l a d a n d b o l o g n a & c h e e s e s a n d w i c h e s . W i t h t h e d o n a t i o n o f t w o h u g e b a g s o f b a g e l s , w e m a d e m i n i - p i z z a s w i t h p i z z a s a u c e a n d g r a t e d c h e e s e . T h e y w e r e b r o w n e d i n t h e o v e n s a t S t . M i k e ' s t h e n i g h t b e f o r e , c o o l e d a n d i n d i v i d u a l l y w r a p p e d . V e r y s u c c e s s ­f u l ! W e a l s o p u r c h a s e a q u a n t i t y o f f r u i t e a c h t i m e as w e l l as t h e b r e a d f o r t h e s a n d w i c h e s .

O c c a s i o n a l l y s o m e o n e f r o m t h e c o m m u n i t y w i l l s h o w u p w h e n w e b e g i n s e r v i n g t h e s o u p t o a d d t h e i r o w n d o n a t i o n s o f m u f f i n s , d o u g h n u t s , e t c . S o f a r , n o b o d y h a s e v e r g o n e a w a y h u n g r y .

A R E Y O U I N T E R E S T E D I N H E L P I N G ? W e n e e d a c o n t i n u o u s i n f l o w o f v o l u n t e e r s f o r t h i s p r o j e c t t o

w o r k , s o n o b o d y s u f f e r s b u r n o u t . H e r e a r e y o u r o p t i o n s : 1 . Make soup ahead of time. A n y t i m e . F i n d v e g e t a b l e s , c h i c k e n ,

s o u p b o n e s ( n o p a s t a - i t b u r n s o n t h e b o t t o m ) o n s p e c i a l , m a k e t h e s o u p , a n d f r e e z e i t . D r o p i t o f f o n S o u p B u s D a y , t h e s e c o n d W e d n e s d a y o f e v e r y m o n t h , a t S t . M i c h a e l ' s . I f y o u c a n ' t d e l i v e r i t , p h o n e t o m a k e o t h e r a r r a n g e m e n t s .

2 . Join the sandwich crew. A t S t . M i k e ' s f r o m 2 - 4 p m , 2 n d W e d n e s d a y o f e v e r y m o n t h . N o s p e c i a l s k i l l s r e q u i r e d !

3 . Serve the people. F r o m 7 : 3 0 t o 8 : 0 0 p m , s a m e d a y , o n G e o r g e S t r e e t b e t w e e n 1st a n d 2 n d . G o h o m e f e e l i n g g o o d .

4 . Help the Co-ordinator. D o n h a s b e e n c o - o r d i n a t i n g t h i s p r o j e c t , p h o n i n g p e o p l e , p i c k i n g u p t h e p o t s , p r e p a r i n g f o o d , d r i v ­i n g t h e b u s , w a s h i n g t h e p o t s a f t e r , r e t u r n i n g t h e b u s a n d p o t s ( t o 2 d i f f e r e n t p l a c e s ) . H e c o u l d r e a l l y u s e s o m e h e l p d o i n g s o m e o r a l l o f t h i s .

T o h e l p , s i g n u p o n t h e v o l u n t e e r s h e e t i n t h e s a n g h a r o o m o r p h o n e D o n a t 563-0761 f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n .

pjote: Our sangha joined this project in May of this year. It is loosely administered by the Prince George Soup Bus Society and has many volunteer organizations, mostly local churches, par­ticipating in the same way we do.

Page 2: S*n$h& News News/Vol.2... · 2014. 6. 16. · Sangha News is the newsletter of the Buddhist Meditation Society of Northern British Columbia and the Open Door Sangha. It is published

Letter from Sera Je We are pleased to include excerpts from another letter written

by the Administrative Secretary of Sera Je (Tibetan) Monastery in India. Tephun Tenzin Shastri wrote in answer to Sheryl's ques­tion to him about why he referred to God in his previous writings. It's often considered that Buddhists "don't believe in God. "

I j u s t r e m e m b e r e d I h a d n o t a n s w e r e d y o u r q u e s t i o n r e g a r d i n g m y u s i n g t h e w o r d " G o d " , as B u d d h i s m d e n i e s e x i s t e n c e o f a G o d i n t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l s e n s e . A f t e r h a v i n g r e a d v a r i o u s b o o k s o n H i n d u i s m a n d C h r i s t i a n i t y i t i s m y p e r s o n a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t e v e n t h o s e f o l l o w e r s w h o w o r s h i p a c e r t a i n " G o d " as a c r e a t o r o f t h i s w o r l d o r as a n o m n i p o t e n t e n t i t y w h o c o n t r o l s a n d r u l e s t h i s u n i v e r s e w i t h h i s s u p e r n a t u r a l p o w e r s , i f w e g o d e e p w i t h i n t h e i r r e l i g i o n , t h e i d e a o f a s o l i d p e r s o n a l g o d i s g r a d u a l l y r e p l a c e d b y t h a t c o s m i c p o w e r w h i c h i s u n i v e r s a l l y p r e s e n t a n d p e r v a s i v e . T h i s p o w e r i s t h e u l t i m a t e g o a l a n d r e a l i z a t i o n o f t h e t r u e s e e k e r s o f a l l f a i t h s t h o u g h i t h a s d i f f e r e n t n a m e s w i t h v a r y i n g p r o f u n ­d i t y .

S o i t i s m y u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t e v e n t h o s e f o l l o w e r s w h o b e l i e v e i n a s o l i d G O D a c t u a l l y h a v e t w o a s p e c t s o f t h e i r G o d : T h e P e r ­s o n a l a s p e c t o f G o d w h i c h t h e y i d e n t i f y w i t h a c e r t a i n G O D F I G ­U R E w h i c h i s f o r t h e g e n e r a l a n d c o m m o n f o l l o w e r s , a n d t h e n t h e o t h e r a s p e c t o f G o d w h i c h t h e y i d e n t f y w i t h t h e r e a l i z a t i o n o f t h e u l t i m a t e T R U T H t h r o u g h s p i r i t u a l p r a c t i c e s . T h i s s e c o n d a s ­p e c t i s f o r m l e s s a n d c a n n o t be d e s c r i b e d i n w o r d s . I t i s j u s t a s u p r e m e c o n s c i o u s n e s s b e i n g m e r g e d w i t h t h a t u n i v e r s a l e n e r g y w h i c h p e r v a d e s b o t h s p a c e a n d t i m e a n d w h i c h i s b e y o n d t h e r e a c h o f c a u s e a n d e f f e c t a n d h e n c e o u t o f k a r m i c i n f l u e n c e . O n e w h o i s a b l e t o p r o p e l h i s c o n s c i o u s n e s s t o t h a t s t a t e h a s f u l l y m e r g e d h i m s e l f w i t h t r a n s c e n d e n t a l t r u t h b e y o n d w h i c h n o t h i n g m o r e i s l e f t t o e x p l o r e a n d o r t o a t t a i n .

S o m y u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s t h a t t h e b a s i c c o n c e p t o f G o d i n o t h e r r e l i g i o n s i s t h a t i t i s m e r e l y a m e a n s t o i d e n t i f y w i t h t h e s u p r e m e p o w e r o r t h e t r u t h . O f c o u r s e t h e c o m m o n l a y f o l l o w e r s b e l i e v e t h a t t h e i r s o l i d G O D i n h u m a n f o r m , s u c h as K r i s h n a a n d R a m a , i s t h e u l t i m a t e r e f u g e . C e r t a i n l y i t h e l p s t h e f o l l o w e r s t o b e t t e r f o c u s t h e i r s p i r i t u a l q u e s t w i t h a p e r s o n a l g o d t o c l i n g t o a n d c o m p l a i n t o , b e c a u s e d e v o t i o n , f a i t h a n d p r a y e r s a l s o h a v e g r e a t p o t e n t i a l i n e x p e d i t i n g s p i r i t u a l a d v a n c e m e n t . T h e b e s t m e a n s , t h o u g h , t o s p i r i t u a l r e a l i z a t i o n a n d a w a k e n i n g i s u n d o u b t e d l y m e d i t a t i o n !

S o w h e n I u s e t h e w o r d G O D i n m y w r i t i n g s I w a n t n o n - B u d ­d h i s t s t o t a k e i t l i t e r a l l y i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e i r o w n b e l i e f a n d f o r B u d d h i s t s t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e w o r d as t h e s u p r e m e t r a n s c e n t e n t a l t r u t h t h a t g o v e r n s c o s m i c l a w , o r t h e l a w o f K a r m a i t s e l f . T o u s t h i s i s t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f a p e r s o n a l G o d , b e c a u s e as B u d d h i s t s w h o t r u s t i n t h e L a w o f K a r m a , w e f e a r t h e L a w o f K a r m a i f w e

Sangha News is the n e w s l e t t e r o f t h e B u d d h i s t M e d i t a t i o n S o c i e t y o f N o r t h e r n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a and t h e O p e n D o o r S a n g h a . I t is p u b l i s h e d q u a r t e r l y a n d a v a i l a b l e f ree t o S o c i e t y m e m b e r s . A n n u a l m e m b e r s h i p fee is $ 1 5 . 0 0 . W e w e l c o m e c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f a r t i c l e s , g raph ics a n d p h o t o s as w e l l as l e t t e r s .

Mailing Address: B u d d h i s t M e d i t a t i o n S o c i e t y o f N o r t h e r n B . C . 2 7 0 0 P a r e n t R o a d P r i n c e G e o r g e . B . C . V 2 N 5 G 3 P h o n e 2 5 0 - 9 6 4 - 3 0 6 6

M A Y A L L B E I N G S B E N E F I T !

d o s o m e t h i n g w r o n g , a n d w e s t r i v e f o r b e t t e r k n o w i n g t h a t t h e L a w o f K a r m a w i l l n e v e r b e l i e o u r p i o u s e f f o r t s . S o t o u s B u d ­d h i s t s , t h e L a w o f K a r m a i s t h e r e a l G O D , t h e G o d w h i c h w i l l p u n i s h f o r o u r s i n s , t h e G o d w h i c h w i l l r e w a r d us f o r o u r m e r i t s , t h e G o d w h i c h i s n e v e r f o r g i v i n g a n d n e v e r f o r g e t t i n g !

W e l l , I h a v e s e n s e d t h a t B u d d h i s t s , as n o n - b e l i e v e r s i n a c r e ­a t o r a n d a c t o r G o d , m u s t u n d e r s t a n d i t s t r u e i m p o r t i n p r o p e r c o n t e x t . O t h e r w i s e t h e r e i s g r e a t d a n g e r o f t u r n i n g i n t o a n a t h e ­i s t ! T o a p e r s o n , a B u d d h i s t p e r s o n , w h o i s n o t s e r i o u s a b o u t m a k ­i n g c o n c r e t e s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s , b e i n g a n a t h e i s t w o u l d n o t m a k e m u c h d i f f e r e n c e a n d m a y be a c c e p t e d t o b e o k a y . I n p r i n c i p l e t h e r e i s n o d o u b t t h a t B u d d h i s m i s b a s i c a l l y a n a t h e i s t i c r e l i g i o n . B u t t o a p r a c t i c i n g B u d d h i s t i t i s a g r e a t d i s a d v a n t a g e t o b e c o m e a n a t h e i s t . B e c a u s e t h e n t h e r e w i l l b e l i t t l e p l a c e f o r d e v o t i o n , f a i t h , p r a y e r a n d t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l r e l i g i o u s p r a c t i c e s w h i c h a r e t h e b a ­s i c q u a l i f i c a t i o n s f o r a s p i r i t u a l l i f e .

W i t h o u t t h i s i t i s v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o p r a c t i c e h i g h e r s p i r i t u a l m e t h ­o d s a n d t e c h n i q u e s s u c h as m e d i t a t i o n a n d o b s e r v i n g p r e c e p t s a n d v o w s , e t c . F o r t h i s r e a s o n B u d d h i s t d e i t i e s o c c u p y v e r y s p e ­c i a l p l a c e s i n T a n t r a y a n a a n d V a j r a y a n a . T h e d e i t i e s a r e b a s i c a l l y m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f d i f f e r e n t s p i r i t u a l q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d a s p e c t s o f s p i r i t u a l s t a g e s a n d o f B u d d h a h o o d .

The Open Door Library O u r l i b r a r y c o n t i n u e s t o g r o w . H a v i n g r e c e i v e d a c o p y o f o u r

n e w s l e t t e r , R o s e m a r y & M i c h a e l ' s T h e r a v a d a n t e a c h e r i n T h u n ­d e r B a y s e n t s e v e r a l n e w t i t l e s t o a d d t o t h e s h e l v e s !

J u d i h a s v o l u n t e e r e d t o b e t h e f i r s t L i b r a r i a n . W e a l s o h o p e t o h a v e p a r t i c i p a t i o n f r o m a n y o n e w h o w o u l d l i k e t o p r o v i d e r e ­v i e w s , o f a n y l e n g t h o r p h i l o p h i c a l d e p t h , o n b o o k s i n o u r l i b r a r y w h i c h c o u l d be p r i n t e d i n t h e Sangha News. I t ' s u n l i k e l y t h a t a n y o f u s w i l l e v e r be a b l e t o r e a d e v e r y t h i n g t h e r e i s t o o f f e r , s o i t w o u l d be o f b e n e f i t t o u s a l l t o s h a r e w h a t w e , as i n d i v i d u a l s , h a v e f o u n d .

A n y o n e w h o h a s s o m e t h i n g t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e n e w s l e t t e r c a n c o n t a c t M a r y a t 5 6 3 - 3 7 2 5 . T h e n e x t Sangha News w i l l b e o u t t h e f i r s t w e e k o f J a n u a r y , s o c o p y d e a d l i n e s h o u l d b e j u s t a f t e r C h r i s t ­m a s . I n t h a t i s s u e w e ' r e h o p i n g t o h a v e i m p r e s s i o n s o f t h e V i p a s s a n a r e t r e a t . P l e a s e c o n s i d e r c o n t r i b u t i n g i f y o u p l a n t o p a r ­t i c i p a t e i n t h i s r e t r e a t .

Directors of the Society M i c h a e l M a r t i n L a r r y S t e e l e T o n y M a c G r e g o r

M a r y C o s m a n

J u d i I s r a e l

P r e s i d e n t 964-3066 V i c e - P r e s i d e n t 563-6792 S e c r e t a r y 964-2492

e - m a i l : m a c g r e g @ n e t b i s t r o . c o m T r e a s u r e r 563-3725

e - m a i l : m c o s m a n @ b c . s y m p a t i c o . c a

L i b r a r i a n 564-9938

2 F a l l 1998

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Vipassana Mefcitation ftetreat w i t h Rodney Smith

R o d n e y S m i t h spent 8 years i n i n t e n s i v e re t rea t b o t h at t h e I n s i g h t M e d i t a t i o n S o c i e t y i n M a s s a c h u ­set ts a n d as a B u d d h i s t m o n k i n A s i a . H e p rac t i c ed seve ra l yea r s w i t h A j a n B u d d h a d a s a at W a t S u a n M o k i n T h a i l a n d . A f t e r d i s r o b i n g as a m o n k i n 1 9 8 3 . he b e c a m e a f u l l - t i m e hosp ice soc ia l w o r k e r , b e r e a v e m e n t c o o r d i n a t o r , p r o g r a m d i r e c t o r , a n d e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r . H e is c u r r e n t l y D i r e c t o r o f H o s p i c e o f S e a t t l e . R o d n e y c o n d u c t s s e l f - a w a r e n e s s classes i n and a r o u n d Sea t t l e a n d teaches V i p a s s a n a m e d i ­t a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e U n i t e d S ta tes .

PUBLIC DHARMA T A L K " D e a t h and D y i n g f r o m a Buddhist perspective"

Friday, November 13, 7:00 pm UNBC - Lecture Hall 7-238

Saturda R E T R E A T

y & Sunday, November 14 & 15

T h i s r e t r e a t w i l l f o c u s o n t h e p a t h o f t h e h e a r t , a n d h o w a w a r e n e s s g i v e s a c c e s s t o t h e j o y s a n d s o r r o w s o f l i f e w i t h e v e r - i n c r e a s ­i n g s e n s i t i v i t y , s t a b i l i t y , a n d l o v e . S p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n w i l l be g i v e n t o t h e r o l e o f n a t u r e i n o u r s p i r i t u a l j o u r n e y . T h e r e t r e a t i s a p p r o ­p r i a t e f o r b o t h b e g i n n i n g a n d e x p e r i e n c e d m e d i t a t o r s a n d w i l l b e h e l d w i t h i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l V i p a s s a n a f o r m s o f s i t t i n g a n d w a l k i n g m e d i t a t i o n s . T h i s i s a r i g o r o u s s t y l e i n w h i c h a w a r e n e s s i s a p p l i e d t o a l l o f o u r a c t i v i t i e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y .

T h e r e t r e a t w i l l be h e l d i n a p r i v a t e h o m e . P a y m e n t a t t i m e o f r e g i s t r a t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y t o r e s e r v e y o u r p l a c e . For more information on the retreat and the public lecture, please phone Rosemary at 964-3066.

DANA (gene rosin) is intrinsic to the 2,500 year old tradition of Buddha Dharma. Going back to the days of the Buddha, the teachings were considered priceless and thus offered freely. Teacher support comes from the voluntary contributions of

students. The registration fee covers cost of advertising the retreat, meals and the teacher's travel expense. Contributions for Rodney's teaching will be accepted at thePublic Dharma Talk and at the Retreat.

O U R P O L I C Y IS T H A T N O O N E W I L L B E R E F U S E D R E G I S T R A T I O N I F T H E R E T R E A T F E E S W O U L D C A U S E F I N A N C I A L H A R D S H I P .

R E T R E A T REGISTRATION November 14 & 15,1998 M a i l t o : B M S . 2 7 0 0 P a r e n t R o a d . P r i n c e G e o r s e . B . C . V 2 N 5 G 3

The Bwt>t>Jiist Mct>itAtioti Society of ' N o r t h e r n B.C.

Name.

Address.

Postal Code

Phone (days)

Phone (eves.)

Fax

Registration Deadline: Oct. 15, 1998 FEE: $50.00

• C A S H ree 'd b y

• C H E Q U E #

E N C L O S E D S . R e t r e a t F e e $ M e m b e r s h i p

M e m b e r s h i p f e e s a c c e p t e d a t t i m e o f r e g i s t r a t i o n . A n n u a l m e m b e r s h i p i s S 1 5 . 0 0 .

P l e a s e b r i n g c u s h i o n a n d p a d t o s i t o n . O u t o f c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r o t h e r s , r e t r e a t a n t s a r e a s k e d t o n o t w e a r p e r f u m e s , e s s e n t i a l o i l s , o r n o i s y j e w e l l e r y . Space at the retreat is limited. Registration acceptance will be on a first come, first served basis.

F a l l 1998 3

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T h e Bwt>i>Vtist MeoitMioti Society of ' N o r t h e r n B .C.

THE OPEN DOOR SANGHA 1 6 8 5 T h i r d A v e n u e ( u p s t a i r s ) , P r i n c e G e o r g e , B . C . F o r i n f o r m a t i o n p h o n e 9 6 4 - 3 0 6 6

A l l e v e n t s h e l d i n o u r D h a r m a C e n t r e o n T h i r d A v e n u e u n l e s s o t h e r w i s e n o t e d . P l e a s e h e l p u s p a y f o r t h i s l o v e l y s p a c e b y p l a c i n g a n o f f e r i n g i n t h e d a n a b a s k e t b e f o r e y o u l e a v e . W e h o s t a n i n f o r m a l t e a f o l l o w i n g m o s t e v e n t s . E v e r y o n e i s w e l c o m e .

O C T O B E R 98 N O V E M B E R 98 SUN MON T U E W E D T H U F R I SAT SUN MON T U E WED T i l l ' F R I S A T

1 2 3 1 * 2 Sangha Sit 7pm

3 Zazen 7pm

4 5 6 7

4 * 5 Sangha Sil 7pm

6 Zazen 7pm

7 8 9 10 8 9 Sangha Sit 7pm

?;» 10 5:15pm

Zazen 7pm

11 Soup Bus

12 p A 13 Rodney Smith U N B C 7pm

p A 14 Rodney Smith Retreat *• 11 Tara Tsoe 1 f

Ham " 1 Z

Sangha Sit 7 pm"

13 Zazen 7 pm

14 Soup Bus

15 16 17 Rodney Smith Retreat **

16 Sangha Sit 7pm

17 Zazen 7pm

18 19 20 21

18 19 Sangha Sit 7pm

20 Zazen 7pm

21 22 23 24 22 23 Sangha Sit 7pm

24 Zazen 7 pm

25 26 Tara Tsog 5:15pm

27 28

25 26 Sangha Sit 7 pm

27 Zazen 7pm

28 Tara Tsog 5:15pm

29 30 31 29 30 Sangha Sit 7pm

D E C E M B E R 98 J A N U A R Y 99 SUN MON T U E WED THU F R I SAT SUN MON TIT. WED THU F R I SAT

1 Zazen 7pm

2 3 4 5 1 2

6 * 7 Sangha Sit 7 pm

8 Zazen 7 pm

9 Soup Bus

10 Tara Tsoe 5:15pm

11 12 3 * 4 Sangha Sit 7pm

5 Zazen 7pm

6 7 8 9

13 14 Sangha Sil 7pm

15 Zazen 7pm

16 17 18 19 10 Tara Tsog 1 lam

11 Sangha Sit 7pm

12 Zazen 7pm

13 Soup Bus

14 15 16

20 21 Sangha Sit 7pm

22 Zazen 7pm

23 24 25 26 Tara Tsog 1 lam

17 18 Sangha Sit 7pm

19 Zazen 7pm

20 21 22 23

27 28 Sangha Sit 7pm

29 Zazen 7pm

30 31 24 25 Sangha Sit 7pm

26 Zazen 7pm

27 Tara Tsog 5:15pm

28 29 30

* 1st Monday of every month. Introductory Session at 6pm. For info phone 563-3725.

** See retreat information on page 3 for times & location.

31

T h e Bwoohist MeoitAtiow Society of Nortlicrti B.C. 2 7 0 0 Pa ren t R o a d , P r i n c e G e o r g e , B . C . V 2 N 5 G 3